A Victorian satinwood and mahogany bonheur du jour, last quarter 19th century, the raised superstructure with an arched oval-inlaid gallery above inlaid back to the open shelf, with five drawers below, the projecting lower section with crossbanded edge above a frieze drawer with velvet-lined writing slide and fitted interior above a faux-fluted and oval-inlaid frieze on decorated square tapering legs to brass caps, 131cm high, 78cm wide, 51cm deep

Composed of several subsidiaries, the Drouot Group is a major player in the art market. Hôtel Drouot, located in the heart of Paris, has been the world's largest public auction center since 1852. 15 salerooms are available to more than 70 auction houses. The emulation generated by an annual offer of 230,000 artworks from 21 major specialities - from Antiquity to street art - attracts some 3,000 visitors every day. The Group's digital platform, Drouot.com, offers digital sales - Live auctions (live broadcasting and participation in auctions), Online-only auctions (dematerialised auctions) and Buy Now sales (sales of lots at fixed prices). Nearly 2 million items are offered annually by 600 auction houses. Auction news is reported every week in La Gazette Drouot, the leading weekly magazine for the art market and culture published by Auctionspress.